civics test 2
constituents
a person from a liegislatorś district
In a congressional district, constituents are divided by legislators. In a gerrymander, constituents are divided with an oddly shaped district that is used to increase the voting strength of a particular group.
How do states divide the number of constituents in their congressional districts? How are constituents divided in gerrymander?
Cloture can end a filibuster if three-fifths of the members vote for cloture.
How does cloture affect a filibuster?
The census affects the representation in the House of Representatives because depending on the census is how many people from each state are representatives.
How does the census affect representation in the House of Representatives?
Dear younger students, A bill has to pass both houses of Congress. If not, it dies. If it passes both it then goes to the president and he either accepts it or he vetoes it.
Suppose you needed to explain how a bill becomes a law to a younger student. Write a short, easy-to-understand paragraph that explains the major steps in the process.
The 3 major responsibilities for members of Congress are making laws, doing casework, and helping the District or State.
What are three major responsibilities of members of Congress?
Two non legislative powers given to Congress are the ability of Congress to suggest amendments to the constitution and impeach government officials.
What are two non legislative powers given to Congress?
Public bills apply to the entire nation and involve general matters. Private bills concern individual people or places, usually dealing with people's claims against the government.
What is the difference between public and private bills?
A candidate for the House of Representatives must be at least 25 years old, line in the state they represent, and have been a U.S. citizen for at least 7 years. A candidate for the Senate must be 30 years old, live in the state they represent, and have been a U.S. citizen for at least 9 years.
What qualifications must a person have to be a candidate for the House of Representatives? The Senate?
Members of Congress believe that casework is important because it helps lawmakers get reelected because it increases popular support, helps lawmakers see how well the executive branch is handling programs, and provides a way to help citizens deal with federal agencies.
Why do members of Congress believe that casework is important?
I think the bill has to pass both houses of Congress because if not, there will be disagreement. It is also to make sure that all the issues are considered and covered.
Why do you think a bill has to pass both houses of Congress to reach the president's desk?
I think the House rarely impeaches a top government official because it is too much trouble replace them and it is a long process.
Why do you think that the House rarely impeaches a top government official?
Congress relies on the committee system because it makes their workload easier and to help delegate on the different bills and laws to handle.
Why does Congress rely on the committee system?
A lobbyist might work to get a member of Congress to support a pork-barrel project because they may benefit a certain group that a lobbyist represents.
Why might a lobbyist work to get a member of Congress to support a particular pork-barrel project?
A special-interest group may work hard to get a rider attached to a bill so they can get more tasks done on one bill and limit the chance of a bill becoming a law.
Why might a special-interest group work hard at to get a rider attached to a bill?
Ex post facto law
a court order that requires police to bring a prisoner to court to explain why they are holding the person
gerrymander
an oddly shaped election district designed to increase the voting strength of a particular group
nonlegislative power
duty Congress holds besides lawmaking
pork-barrel projects
government project grant that primarily benefits a congressperson's home district or state
implied power
power that Congress has that is not stated explicitly in the Constitution
expressed power
power that the U.S. Congress has that is specifically listed in the Constitution
lobbyists
representative of an interest group who contact lawmakers or other government officials directly to influence their policy making
franking privilege
the right of senators and representatives to send job-related mail without paying postage
case work
the work that a lawmaker does to help constituents with a problem
impeach
to accuse government officials of misconduct in office